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Signs of the Times, Vol. 16, No. 18.

The Georgia Convict Lease System
Earlier text: BOYS' BRIGADES

THE "SUNDAY PICNIC."

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

HAVING occasion on a recent Sunday evening to go over to San Francisco, we boarded the local train at Seventh Street and Broadway. As we entered the car, our ears were greeted with a jargon of sounds that seemed to indicate that an Indian powwow was going on. We soon found, however, that the sounds came from a crowd of male and female San Francisco hoodlums on their way home from a Sunday picnic. They crowded the car so that the conductor could scarcely get through, and their half-drunken orgies made decent people ashamed to be in the car.
As we looked upon the disgraceful scene, we could not help thinking how plausible an argument the Sunday-law advocates have for a Sunday law. The "Sunday picnic" is one of the standing reasons for a Sunday law in California, and many persons honestly think that nothing but a Sunday law will abate the nuisance.
But, as a matter of fact, it affords not the slightest reason for a Sunday law. Sunday is not the only day on which picnics are held, although, of course, more are held on that day than on any other. But the hoodlums behave no worse at a picnic on Sunday than on any other day. The same scenes are repeated on the Fourth of July, Admission day, etc. People whose business does not call them to cross the bay in company with a party of these picnickers are not disturbed by them; there are tens of thousands of people in San Francisco and Oakland who know nothing of the performances on these occasions, except as they have read about them; they are no more disturbed by the Sunday picnics than if the picnics were held on the moon. And those people who do have to cross the bay on the same train and boat with the hoodlum picnickers, see nothing more disgraceful on Sunday than on any other day that a picnic may be held.
The trouble therefore is not with the "Sunday picnic," but with the hoodlums who exhibit the beastliness of their nature regardless of the calendar. Then the thing to do, in order to abate the nuisance, is not to suppress the "Sunday picnic," nor, for that matter, any picnic whatever, but to "suppress" the hoodlums, no matter what the day may be. This a few resolute policemen could easily do, and they do not need the enactment of any new law to give them authority! The same law which enables a policeman to lock up a single "drunk" for disturbing the peace, is amply sufficient to deal with the hoodlum picnic any day in the week.
So, while we heartily agree with all that anybody can say against the disgraceful performances of returning picnickers, we know full well that they afford no ground for the enactment of a Sunday law. The evil could be stopped, but it will not be; for if those who deplore it should demand that order be maintained by means of the laws already provided for such cases, and should see that their demand is complied with, they would deprive their Sunday-law kite of much of its wind. There are a great many existing nuisances that would be abated by "reformers" if it were not for the fact that such proceeding would demonstrate the fact that there is no earthly necessity for a Sunday law.
E. J. W.

The Sabbath-School.

By William N. Glenn

Notes on the International Lesson.

THE TRANSFIGURATION.

(May 18; Luke 9:28-36.)
THE incident which forms the subject of this lesson is said to have come to pass "about an eight days after these sayings." After what sayings? The preceding part of the chapter, after the account of the feeding of the multitude with five loaves, gives two prominent statements of the Lord, upon which other "sayings" are based: (1) "The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day." (2) "I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here which shall not taste of death till they see the kingdom of God."
THESE statements are necessary to an understanding of the objects of the "transfiguration." Jesus had been preaching and working miracles nearly three years, and all this time his followers had been anxiously waiting in expectation that he would assume the sovereignty of the world. But after all their bright anticipations, the disciples were told that he whom they hoped would redeem Israel would be "rejected," would be "slain." True, in giving them this information, the Lord had added that he would be "raised the third day," but their faith could not yet grasp that idea.
THE doubt and despondency cast over the disciples by this, to them, discouraging prospect, must be counteracted and their drooping spirits strengthened. What was the first move to accomplish such a purpose?—"He took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray." Although greatly fatigued by incessant labor, at the close of the day the patient Lord takes his three most reliable disciples and climbs to some high point on the mountains for undisturbed devotion.
AS Jesus prolonged his prayer into the night, his companions gave way to their weariness and fell asleep. But the prayer of faith brought its reward. The glory of God appeared on the lonely mountain-top, and there appeared two heavenly messengers, who talked with him about the very thing which had so perplexed the disciples, namely, "his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem." Now, what a golden opportunity for them to hear the whole problem explained, so that there need be no more doubts! What a rare chance to hear precious thoughts from those who had passed through earthly probation, and had been hundreds of years in heaven, and afterwards to transmit them to others who should need encouragement. But alas! those to whom such an opportunity was presented were asleep.
"THERE talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias." Notice, they were men. They were not "disembodied spirits." Though they had been in heaven so long, they were still men, "who appeared in glory." No more fitting agents could have been sent to sympathize with tired, discouraged humanity.
HERE was the "kingdom of God" which some of the disciples were to see before they should taste death. It was a miniature representation of the kingdom of glory, a representation of the two classes,—the resurrected ones, and the translated ones,—and the Lord himself, their King. The gathering of the hosts that shall comprise the kingdom in its fullness is described in 1 Thess. 4: 16, 17: "The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
THE idea that men have immortal spirits inherent within them, that go somewhere else at death, in conscious existence without the body, is emphatically dispelled by this transfiguration scene. Moses died and was buried in a valley in the land of Moab (Deut. 34:6), and in order to take him to heaven the Lord resurrected him. See Jude 9. And when God would take Elijah to heaven he did not separate spirit and body, and leave the man behind; but he translated the man, just as the living righteous will be translated when the dead in Christ shall be raised and changed at the Lord's coming to receive his own unto himself. See John 14:3.
WHEN the sleeping disciples were awakened by the brightness of the glory around them, they were completely bewildered. Had they been awake to hear the conversation between Christ and the experienced visitors from heaven, they would not have made the foolish suggestion about building tabernacles on the mountain for such beings to dwell in. How often since then have sleepy Christians made unwarranted propositions in the interest of doubtful honors to Christ. If all would listen to that voice which said, "This is my beloved Son, hear him," we would hear less about such services to God as he has not required.
THEY "told no man in those days," because the people were not prepared to receive the account of such an event. Matthew says: "Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead." They would then more fully understand the matter themselves, and be better prepared to relate it with its true interpretation; and those who should believe in the resurrection of Christ would receive the instruction regarding the future state which was brought out by the incident of the transfiguration. Peter refers to the event in his second epistle (chap. 1:16-18), and makes it the basis of his argument on the coming of the Lord: "We have not followed cunningly-devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount."

Letter to the Hebrews.

CHAPTER II: 20-30.

(Lesson 34, May 24, 1890.)
1. WHAT blessing did Jacob pronounce upon Joseph's sons just before his death? Gen. 48:16, 19, 20.
2. Since he had no possession, how could he say with such assurance what they should have? Heb. 11:21.
3. How did Joseph, at his death, show his faith in the promise of God? Heb. 11:22; Gen. 50:25.
4. How did the parents of Moses show their faith in God's promise? Heb. 11:23.
5. What did Moses' own faith lead him to do when he was grown? Verse 24.
6. What did he prefer to the sinful pleasures of Egypt? Verse 25.
7. In making this choice, with whom was he casting his lot? Verse 26.8. If by choosing to be known as an Israelite he was sharing the lot and reproach of Christ, who must have been the guardian and leader of Israel.
9. What promises are to those who suffer with Christ? 2 Tim. 2:11, 12; Rom. 8:17.
10. What sustained Moses in leading the children of Israel from Egypt? Heb. 11:27.
11. How did Moses keep the passover? Verse 28.
12. Who is the real Passover? 1 Cor. 5:7.
13. Then since Moses kept the passover through faith, what did he see in it?
14. How did the Israelites pass through the Red Sea? Heb. 11:29.
15. By what were the walls of Jericho thrown down? Verse 30.
16. For what purpose are all those things recorded? 1 Cor. 10:11; Rom. 15:4.
17. What practical application may we make of the fall of Jericho? 2 Cor. 10:4, 5.

Protestantism Nearing Rome

NEARER and nearer to Rome seems to be the tendency of Protestantism. The Congregationalist says of that denomination: "Not a great number yet of our Congregational Churches have fallen into the way of observing Holy Week; but from the cities where the experiment has passed into a regular custom, as in Hartford and New Haven, and from other places, like Salem and Jamaica Plain, where the idea is somewhat newer, we have tidings of satisfaction with attempts by churches, either unitedly or individually, to commemorate the last week of the Saviour's life."

MODERN IDEAS OF UNITY.

By M. C. Wilcox

"UNITY in diversity" is the order of the day among the various Christian denominations. Missionary societies, religious societies, and unions all express this same sentiment. As an indication of this drift take the meeting of the Congregational Club, and the Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian Social Unions of New York, which was held Monday evening, March 24, 1890, at the Lenox Lyceum, as reported in the New York Observer, of March 27. Bishop Andrews, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, claimed all "Christian churches as his possession," but thought there "was a fitness in the existence of the denominations. They were important as producing mutual respect, personal self-respect, and in their relation to the common labors of the churches." Just as though there was not enough in the union which Christ prayed for to develop "mutual respect and self-respect"! A "bright address" is said to have been made by Rev. Dr. R. S. McArthur, of the Calvary Baptist Church.
"He said he was not a believer in an organic union, but was in favor of a federation. This he would form on such principles as these: First, the word of God must be the only rule of faith and practice. Then, that no denomination should have a right to exist as a separate organization, except it represented a distinct truth to the world which no other body did. Third, that the denominations should first unify themselves, so that there should not be such wide differences as now exist under one name. And last, the rights of all should be duly considered."
A strange kind of union that would be! If a religious denomination had no right to exist as a separate organization except as it represented a distinct truth to the world which no other body did, and this fact must be recognized by all other bodies in the federation, then every other body to be consistent ought to accept of that truth, or admit frankly that they are not honest to their convictions. For instance: If Episcopalians and Baptists and Congregationalists should unite, the Episcopalians would represent the apostolic succession; the Congregationalists, independent church government; the Baptists, immersion on profession of faith. The Baptists and Congregationalists would recognize the apostolic succession as a distinct truth represented only by the Episcopalians, and they therefore ought to accept it, or place themselves on record as denying in practice what they hold in theory. Such Christianity could hardly be called honest. The same would be true of Episcopalians and Congregationalists as regards believers' baptism. If they recognized it as truth, to be consistent they should adopt it. But it is to just such inconsistencies as these that modern ideas of unity lead. The Bible idea is: "That they may be one, even as We [Christ and God] are one" (John 17:22); "That ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Cor. 1:10).
M. C. W.

STOCKHOLDERS' MEETING.

According to appointment, the fifteenth annual meeting of the stockholders of the Pacific Press Publishing Company was held at the office of the company, corner Twelfth and Castro Streets, Oakland, Cal., Monday, April 28, 1890, at 9:30 A.M.
The president of the association called the meeting to order, and after the opening services he appointed committees as follows:—
On Nominations—W. M. Healey, E. H. Gates, and N. C. McClure.
On Resolutions—E. J. Waggoner, R. A. Underwood, and M. C. Wilcox.
The stockholders then present adjourned to meet at the church, corner of Twelfth and Brush Streets, at 9:55 A.M. At the appointed hour the meeting was opened by devotional exercises, and the published call for the meeting was then read.
On calling the roll there was found to be 1,304 shares represented by stockholders present in person, and 1,250 shares were represented by proxy. This representation was out of a possible 4,106 shares constituting the company, and gave a voting majority of 500 shares.
A few well-chosen remarks were made by the president, after which the minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
The business next in order, according to the by-laws, was to ascertain whether the resolutions passed at the last meeting had been carried out.
Wm. Saunders, manager of the London branch, was called upon to speak in regard to the establishing of the branch office in that great city. He stated that this resolution had been carried out, and to him in a very satisfactory manner. The work there was now well in hand, and the office open for any business that might be intrusted to it.
The president then took up other resolutions and told what had been done towards carrying them out.
An interesting letter from A. T. Jones, now stationed at New York, was read by M. C. Wilcox. He spoke more particularly in regard to the American Sentinel, and the advantage that had been gained by moving this paper to New York City, as had been recommended by the stockholders at our last annual meeting.
The financial reports of the main office, New York branch, and London branch, were then read, of which the following is a summary:—
RESOURCES.
Bills receivable $9,440 13
Accounts receivable 39,895 75
New York branch, resources of 15,521 99
London branch, resources of 18,952 69
Insurance, premium value on unexpired policies 580 00
Cash in office safe 1,052 68
Inventory, value of property of all kinds 264,206 25
Total $349,649 49
LIABILITIES.
Certificates of stock $41,030 00
California publishing fund (donations) 17,576 85
Certificates of deposit 38,979 70
Bills payable 107,880 00
Accounts payable 97,168 13
New York branch, liabilities of 7,096 28
London branch, liabilities of 13,475 80
"Provision" for doubtful debts 1,000 00
Accrued interest 1,375 00
Surplus on March 31, 1889 $30,744 78
Loss from March 31, 1889, to March 31, 1890—
On main office $4,723 10
On New York branch 587 68
On London branch (7 months) 1,366 27
Total loss for year $6,677 05
Surplus on March 31, 1890 24,067 73
Total $349,649 49
Pending the acceptance of this report, the meeting adjourned to 2:30 P.M.
The stockholders were again called to order by the president at the time set in the adjournment of the morning session. After the minutes of this meeting had been read and approved, the financial reports were again taken up and accepted unanimously.
E. J. Waggoner was called upon to read a letter from T. A. Kilgore, manager of the New York office, which gave many encouraging details of the work in that branch of the company's business.
The president mentioned the names of the persons who have been sent to New York from Oakland, and spoke highly of the workers there.
The Nominating Committee brought in a report recommending the following persons as a Board of Directors for the coming year: C. H. Jones, R. A. Underwood, M. J. Church, Wm. Saunders, S. C. Stickney, J. N. Loughborough, and E. A. Chapman. Ballots were then cast, and these persons declared elected.
The Committee on Resolutions presented the following as a partial report:—
WHEREAS, The prosperity which has attended the work of the Pacific Press Publishing Company during the past year, and which has been especially manifested in the branch offices of New York and London, both of which have been rapidly outgrowing the dependent stage of young offices, the reports from the New York office for the last three months showing that it is now on a paying basis; therefore, 1. Resolved, That we recognize in this prosperity an additional reason for gratitude to God, whose favoring hand has been over this work from its beginning. 2. Resolved, That we regard the greatly increased circulation of the American Sentinel since its removal to New York, as an evidence that the move was in the direct order of Providence, and that we are more than ever assured of the wisdom of establishing a branch office in New York, which made such a move possible; and further, resolved, That we regard the money spent in establishing and carrying on the work in New York thus far, as a wise investment, and in no sense a loss to the institution.
WHEREAS, The success and extension of the canvassing work in Great Britain, and the increasing demand for publications in the British Colonies, call for an increase of publications, especially subscription books; and,
WHEREAS, Increase of publications calls for increase of capital stock, as the capital involved in any edition of a book or books cannot be immediately returned to the office of publication; therefore, 3. Resolved, That we recommend that a fund of at least $10,000 be raised as soon as possible for a working capital in the London office.
WHEREAS, The Sentinel Library has been heartily approved by our missionary workers generally; and,
WHEREAS, There is an increased demand for literature of this character, and especially for publications presenting the teachings of Christ on religious liberty, and the underlying principles of Church and State; therefore, 4. Resolved, That we recommend the continued publication of this library under efficient editorial management, which shall procure, select, and prepare such matter as shall meet the increasing demand of the great field.
WHEREAS, The Bible Students' Library has been favorably received by our Tract Societies and our brethren generally; and,
WHEREAS, The future publications of this library will be largely new matter, and will call for special care in its selection and preparation; therefore, 5. Resolved, That we approve of the publication of this library under competent editorial management.
WHEREAS, One of the objects of our publishing house is the education of competent and faithful workers; and,
WHEREAS, It is frequently the case that those who enter the office as apprentices have not had the opportunity to obtain sufficient education in the common branches of study; and,
WHEREAS, The Pacific Press Publishing Company, in order to meet this need, has inaugurated a number of evening classes in connection with the office, now under the management of the Oakland Seventh-day Adventist School Board; therefore, 6. Resolved, That we recommend that the Pacific Press Publishing Company require its apprentices hereafter to take and carry on one or more of the studies taught in these classes, as far and as long as the managers may deem advisable, and that the Pacific Press so revise its system of apprenticeship as to enable apprentices to do this.
WHEREAS, There is a pressing demand for a paper which shall contain the lessons for the primary division of the Sabbath-school, and be devoted to the providing of religious and generally instructive reading especially adapted to young children; and,
WHEREAS, The Executive Committee of the International Sabbath-school Association has requested the Pacific Press to publish such a paper; therefore, 7. Resolved, That we ask the board of directors to take immediate steps for the publication of a children's weekly paper, beginning in July, provided such action meet the approval of the General Conference Committee.
8. Resolved, That in accord with the request that has come from the officers of the International Sabbath-school Association, and many other sources, we recommend that the Pacific Press begin in July the publication of a Youths' Library, to be devoted to history, biography, narrative, and missions, one number to be issued each month.
These resolutions were acted upon separately. The first was passed without discussion. Upon the second the president remarked that the result of locating the Sentinel in New York had demonstrated the wisdom of the move. An office is needed there; it is the leading commercial city of the country; the great lines of steamers run from there. Having an office in that city, we can attend to the transportation of passengers of our own people to all parts of the world, and he felt grateful that the Pacific Press had this privilege of aiding in the general work.
Resolution 3 called out extended remarks from Brother Wm. Saunders and the president. The former said that capital is greatly needed in the London office. The work already laid out for the office to do is a great one, and requires more capital than the office now has. He knew that our people possessed the means, and hoped that they would be liberal in assisting in this work. He thought the amount of the fund called for by the resolution was none too much. But with that amount of capital invested, he would not be afraid to guarantee that the office would soon be on a firm paying basis with the work it already has. With such a fund the office would be able to issue the books required, and with the work returned, at the end of the year the office would show a profit. The money was wanted simply as a working capital in getting out our own books.
The president said that the main office had to the present time advanced to the London office $6,335.96, and to the New York office, $9,668.38. The accounts of these offices were entirely separate, and monthly reports were received from each. The London office will need at least $10,000 to get out the subscription books now needed. Getting out these books ties up capital. This money is not lost; it will all be returned when the books are sold. He believed that our people would respond to this call. The call for stock made at last camp-meeting had been responded to, and stock had been taken to the amount of $2,500; money had been loaned without interest, and some at a low rate of interest. One of the most acceptable ways of putting money into the institution is by taking stock, but donations, or loans at a low rate of interest, will be gladly received. The main office ought not to be too greatly burdened.
Resolutions 4 and 5 were passed without discussion.
Resolution 6 was quite fully discussed by M. C. Wilcox, W. N. Glenn, and the president. It was stated that there had been taught, during the winter, classes in arithmetic, grammar, rhetoric, stenography, and Bible. A class in book-keeping has just been organized. It was shown that such a requirement was not unreasonable, as learning these branches formed a part of the trade. And this is especially true as regards reading, spelling, and grammar. The office desires its employees to become efficient for their own sake. Those who do employ their spare time usefully will avoid many temptations and at the same time make advancement.
The chairman and E. J. Waggoner spoke to resolution 7. It was stated that this had been before the International Sabbath-school Association for some time, and at the time of last General Conference it was decided to publish such a paper. It was then supposed that it would be published as soon as the first of April, but other work had delayed it. It will probably be published by the first of July. The lessons for the little ones will be published in this paper. It is not designed for the youth, as is the Instructor, but for little ones. This paper is not designed to interfere with the work of the Instructor. It is for the very youngest children. It is time the little ones had a chance. In addition to the Sabbath-school lessons there will be interesting stories, and articles which will teach the precious truths of the Bible. The paper is designed to be an aid to parents in instructing their children in the way of truth.
Resolution 8 called out interesting remarks from E. J. Waggoner, M. C. Wilcox, J. N. Loughborough, R. A. Underwood, G. A. Baker, and the president. E. J. Waggoner spoke of the interest Brother W. C. White had taken in this. He wished to get our people interested in our missionary work. The Library will be published something on this wise: A book will be published once a month of from 100 to 200 pages, edited by our people, so that it will contain only wholesome reading for the youth. Books will be published concerning the reformers, the lives of prominent missionaries, prominent individuals in our own church, with some religious stories. Children and youth may thus be encouraged to read, and to read what is good. Many youth are now reading what is positively injurious because they must have something to read, and suitable reading is not to be easily obtained. Such reading as will be published in this Library will be good, and a new book coming each month will give the child something to look forward to, which will be both interesting and instructive. In the past we have worked largely for the adults; is it not time to work for the children and youth? The idea has been indorsed by the General Conference Committee. Reading has great effect in molding the minds of the youth. Some excellent works have already been procured. Elder Loughborough said that he was glad that the hearts of the fathers were turning toward the children. Elder Underwood heartily indorsed the resolution, and believed that it was in the order of the Lord. We are all children enough to read this publication.
All the above resolutions, except the last, were passed unanimously. Pending action on resolution 8, the meeting adjourned to 7:30 P. M.

EVENING MEETING, 7:30 P. M.

This meeting was called to order by the president. Minutes of the afternoon meeting read and approved.
Resolution 8 was taken up and considered and passed unanimously by the stockholders, and then indorsed by a rising vote of the whole house, as was also resolution 7.
The Committee on Resolutions concluded their report by presenting the following:—
WHEREAS, The success which has attended those who have entered the British field as canvassers is a cause of gratitude; and, WHEREAS, It is evident that a great work is opening up before us in circulating the truth by this means, and the greatness of the field demands that more trained canvassers should immediately enter this extensive field; therefore, 9. Resolved, That in harmony with the request of the Mission Board of Great Britain, made recently to the General Conference Committee, we request the general canvassing agent of the denomination to select proper persons to enter this field at the earliest date possible.
WHEREAS, There has for a long time been a demand for a paper to be used for general circulation by the missionary societies, which could be furnished at a cheaper rate than either the Review and Herald or the Signs of the Times; and, WHEREAS, The publishers of the Signs of the Times, which has always been a pioneer missionary journal, in their endeavor to meet this demand as far as possible, have furnished the paper to societies at a rate so low that its publication has involved continued loss; and, WHEREAS, Although great sacrifices have been made, it has been impossible to furnish the paper at a sufficiently low rate to enable the societies to handle it and meet their expenses, and they have therefore turned their attention almost exclusively to the American Sentinel as the paper for missionary circulation; and, WHEREAS, There is still, as there ever has been, a necessity for a paper which shall serve as a pioneer journal, containing live, general religious matter, setting forth Bible doctrines in a clear and pointed manner, thus doing a work which the Sentinel cannot and was not designed to do; therefore, 10. Resolved, That we re-affirm our belief that the Signs of the Times was started in the order of Divine Providence, and that it should by all means be continued; and that it may be put to the use for which it was designed, we recommend that, as soon as practicable, it be changed to an eight-page weekly, so that it can be furnished to single subscribers at one dollar, and in large clubs to societies at seventy-five cents a year, providing such change shall meet the approval of the officers of the General Conference.
WHEREAS, At the last session of the General Conference a series of resolutions was adopted (Year Book, pp. 54, 55) recommending the consolidation of the publishing interests of the denomination, the object of the movement being the unifying of the work, and the avoidance of all sectional feelings and personal interests, and a committee was elected to devise and execute plans to this end; therefore, 11. Resolved, That we are glad that the subject is being seriously considered by our leading brethren, and that we will heartily co-operate in any movement that gives reasonable promise of inspiring greater confidence in the publishing work on the part of our people at large, by establishing that work on a better basis, and securing a more perfect union between the various branches thereof.
Resolution 9 brought out some interesting remarks from M. C. Wilcox, R. A. Underwood, the chairman, J. N. Loughborough, and Wm. Ings. It was thought that a company of canvassers would soon go to England. We were really the first in that field who had made the work a success.
Resolution 10 was thoroughly discussed by John Morrison, R. A. Underwood, W. N. Glenn, E. J. Waggoner, and J. N. Loughborough. It was argued: 1. That a cheaper paper is needed for our missionary work, which can be taken by a larger number of people in larger numbers, and thus a much greater work will be done. 2. The Signs in its present form has been furnished so low to Tract Societies that there has been actual loss on it, which the office ought not to sustain. 3. A paper is needed to follow the American Sentinel, to bring home to the hearts of people the prophecies which have forewarned of the dangers menacing our country, and present before people the saving truth of God. 4. The smaller paper would not contain any less of live religious reading on the truth for our times, but much general matter and advertising would be left out of the smaller edition. Elder Underwood stated that the brethren in the East had for years desired a cheaper paper. They had started two different ones which were not just a success, and they had had to stop. Now he was glad that the publishers of the Signs saw fit to make the Signs a paper that would bristle with the truth, to follow the Sentinel, and could place it where it could be circulated cheaper than the Signs at the present time, without crippling the office. He believed that our brethren in the East and throughout the country everywhere will take hold of this with new zeal, and instead of its present circulation, it will go up.
As the actions of the last General Conference were referred to in Resolution 11, these were read from the Year Book by J. N. Loughborough.
A report of legal advisers, employed by the Committee on Consolidation, presenting what was thought to be a possible scheme on which the offices could unite, was read by R. A. Underwood. Remarks were made by R. A. Underwood, C. H. Jones, and E. J. Waggoner.
The resolutions were all unanimously adopted.
On motion S. C. Stickney, S. N. Curtiss, and L. A. Phippeny were appointed by the chair as a committee to prepare a telegraphic cipher for the use of the association and its correspondents.
Adjourned sine die. C. H. JONES, Pres. S. C. STICKNEY, Sec. LATER.—The board has been organized, as follows: President, C. H. Jones; Vice-President, Wm. Saunders; Secretary, S. C. Stickney; Treasurer, E. A. Chapman; Auditor, L. A. Phippeny.

NOTE.

The history of Moses furnishes a wonderful instance of the confidence and courage born of faith. When Moses trusted in his own strength and military skill to lead the people of Israel from Egypt, and began the work, a poor laborer's taunt made him tremble, and the rumor of the king's anger made him flee for his life. But when he went bearing the commission of Heaven, distrusting his own ability, and trusting only in God, Pharaoh on his throne, surrounded by all his soldiers, could not cause him to fear. And so he "left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king." Truly, "in the name of the Lord is strong confidence."

THE SPARE ROOM.

"Now, John." Little Mrs. Beecher was guilty of button-holing her husband, just as he was all ready to go to his office. "One moment, dear."
He didn't say, "Hurry, then!" He was too astonished, as she never hindered him, when once the coat was on and the hat in hand. "Bless her for it; she is a woman of sense!" he had always said to himself on his unimpeded way. Now here she was doing just like other women. What could it mean?
"You say you are willing I should arrange the house as I think best?"
"Perfectly."
"That's all; good-by. I won't stop you again."
"Good-by, dear."
The little woman stood a moment lost in thought, just where he had left her. Then she started with a laugh: "That's the last time I will ever listen to the tempter. The spare room shall be the back chamber."
Running upstairs, she just stopped to kiss Roly-Poly, the baby, and give him a toss, returning him to Adaline's care, who had him in charge, as it was Saturday. Then she hurried off.
For the next two hours there was no busier woman in all Briarfield than Mrs. Beecher. A neighbor looked in, and called her to the head of the stairs, where she leaned over, her pretty brown hair all tied up in a sweeping-cap.
"My! You ain't settled yet?" exclaimed the neighbor.
"All to rights except the spare room," called Mrs. Beecher over the railing.
"I always fix that first in my fall cleaning," observed the neighbor. "My!—supposing anybody should come and find you all sixes-and-sevens!"
"I should rather be caught by chance company than to have my family find me napping," laughed little Mrs. Beecher.
This was such a new idea that the neighbor had nothing to say only, "I'll drop in again when you ain't so driven," and Mrs. Beecher was free to hurry back to her "settling up" once more.
It wasn't very attractive, certainly, this little back room with its one window. And all the pretty furnishings in the world could not make it a fine place. But Mrs. Beecher, bustling around, setting the bureau in one corner, putting a gay rug here, and a bright sofa pillow there, sang at her work, out of a satisfied heart.
When it was all done, and the supply of clean bed linen and towels put in the drawer ready to be arranged on the arrival of the chance company, the little woman gave a sigh.
"I hope John will like the change. I'm only sorry I kept Adaline in here so long."
But vain regrets not being in Mrs. Beecher's line, she hurried off to a large sunny room just around the hall.
Adaline was already there with the baby, wild to see her own things in the new room.
"I'm going to be perfectly happy, don't you know?" she replied in a burst of confidence to Roly-Poly. "And I'm going to be awfully good, too."
"Um," said Roly-Poly. Mrs. Beecher paused by the open door.
"It's the most beautiful place," ran on Adaline; "see, Roly, the sun shines always here, and I never saw a bit in the other room—never the leastest bit," she added, emphatically.
The little mother's heart had a pang just then, and like a flash the pale cheeks that had greeted her at the breakfast table every morning came back to her now.
"Don't you ever tell, Roly," cried Adaline, in a stage whisper, "but I used to cry in there, and wish my papa could afford to buy a nice house, where the sun danced all around. Now promise; don't you ever tell; say, No, real loud."
"No," shouted the baby.
The tears came now into the eyes of the little woman hearing the unpleasant truths out there in the hall. But there was more to tell.
"I'm a big girl," Adaline was saying; "I'm company now, and I'm going to behave nice. I wonder why people don't always do so, and give the children who live at the house all the year round a good place. Don't you?"
"Ar—goo," said Roly-Poly.
"I wonder so, too," said Mrs. Beecher, softly, with all her heart, as she stole away.
"You're a wise woman," said John, when he came home to dinner, peering into the spare room. "I always wondered why you didn't take this room for the spare chamber, instead of giving up that splendid sunny one to people who only dropped in once in a dog's age."
"O John! why didn't you say so?" cried Mrs. Beecher. "There I've been worrying, afraid you wouldn't like to be different from other people, who always have one handsome room."
"I'd rather be hospitable to my own family first," said John, "and give them sunshine instead of doctor's stuffs. It's the best thing you've done in one spell, Martha. Come, there's the dinner-bell."—Woman's Magazine.
Continue reading: PRACTICAL JOKES